Wildlife sightings for 15th January 2012
1 Shelduck - main lake 4 Mandarin - 3 male and 1 female, wildside 65 Wigeon - grazing marsh 189 Teal - site count 2 Pintail - male and female, scrape 80 Shoveler - site count 1 [...]
1 Shelduck - main lake
4 Mandarin - 3 male and 1 female, wildside
65 Wigeon - grazing marsh
189 Teal - site count
2 Pintail - male and female, scrape
80 Shoveler - site count
101 Tufted Duck - site count
5 Water Rail - site count
2 Jack Snipe - main lake opposite Dulverton hide
15 Common Snipe - main lake, grazing marsh, wildside
Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Pheasant, Yellow-legged Gull, Peregrine, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Caspian Gull, Stonechat, Bullfinch.
The grazing marsh is currently in flood and attracting large numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Snipe, Pintail and Wigeon. Jack Snipe can also be found on the marsh, along with Stonechat and occasional Pipit species.
Small flocks of Siskin, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll are feeding amongst the Alder and Birch trees.
Check through any Tit flocks for possible Goldcrest and Firecrest at this time of year. Over-wintering Chiffchaff will often feed with these flocks as well. There are at least 5 Cetti’s Warbler on the reserve.
The first Bitterns (2) arrived mid-October and can be found anywhere on the reed fringes of the main lake, sheltered lagoon, reservoir lagoon or main reedbed.
Fungi: Nitrous Bonnet (WW), Saffron Milkcap (WW), Candlesnuff Fungus (SL), Girdled Knight (SL), Silver-leaf Fungus (SL), Meadow Coral (EL), Clustered Bonnet (WD), Oak Mazegill (WD), Deceiver (WD), Ochre Aldercap (WD), Snowy Waxcap (EL), Leaf Parachute (SL).
Flowering plants: Marsh Marigold, Hazel catkins, Blackthorn.
3 Stonechat - grazing marsh
2 Peregrine
